Chapter 19: Headache

Xavier's P.O.V

After saying all that to her, I could see the hurt in her eyes, but I just needed to make sure she didn't expect anything from me. I don't think I can be a husband to anybody—at least not now.

Once I finished my gourmet dinner—by which I mean microwaving a sad, cold lasagna—I went to my study to review the file for tomorrow's meeting. It was about an investment in an upcoming company, but after going through the accounts, I could already tell it was a sinking ship. If the owner wasn't willing to sell, he'd be bankrupt in no time. Not my problem.

Closing the file, I checked my schedule for the week. Same old routine:

Meetings, meetings, and more meetings.

Reviewing this month's financial reports.

Signing an important contract in two days.

Dealing with reporters—three different magazine interviews this Friday.

A photoshoot with some model I can't even remember on Saturday.

And Sunday is for my usual visit to the orphanage.

Deciding to get some work done before bed, I lost track of time. By the time I glanced at the clock, it was well past midnight. With an early morning meeting ahead, I shut my laptop and went to bed.

°°°°•°°°°•°°                                          (*^▽^*)                                       °°•°°°°•°°°°•

Dealing with stubborn clients is exhausting. They love throwing around empty threats like:

"You'll regret this."

Or the classic:

"You won't find another company offering what I'm giving you."

Dude, you're literally offering me nothing. You're already drowning in debt. Spare me the dramatics.

Massaging my temple, I realized I hadn't had coffee yet. I buzzed my P.A.

"Get me my coffee."

Just as I leaned back in my chair, my phone rang. Mom.

Don't pick it up.

Don't pick it up.

Don't—

"Hola, Mama."

"Don't 'Hola, Mama' me, Xavier! Where are you?"

I rolled my eyes. "Where do you think I am?"

"I TOLD YOU, MAYA! The man invited four people to his wedding, ignored his wedding night, and now he's at work on THE SECOND DAY OF HIS MARRIAGE!"

"Calm down, Pearl," I heard Aunt Maya say in the background.

"Calm down? CALM DOWN?!" Mom yelled. "XAVIER DANIEL PARKER, you will get your ass out of that office and go home to your wife."

"Mum, you keep forgetting—we didn't marry out of love."

"And I don't care! I'm not asking you to write her poetry under the moonlight. I'm asking you to treat her right."

"I am treating her right."

"Oh, really? Have you even given her a tour of the house?"

Silence.

Mom gasped. "You left her alone in a place she knows nothing about?"

"Mum, you're acting like I locked her in a dungeon. It's a house. She can walk."

"I don't care, Xavier! You're taking two days off."

"TWO DAYS?! That's excessive. One day is enough."

"Do you want me to make it a week?" I coughed in horror

"..No...Two days is fine."

"Good. Also, Maya and I are taking Mira shopping tomorrow. Then we're all coming over for dinner."

"How is that my problem? It's dinner, not an all-day event."

"Oh, shut up. And Skylar's coming too. She's pissed you didn't tell her about your wedding."

My eyes widened. "You told Skylar?!"

"I had to."

"No, you didn't! I was perfectly capable of—"

"Don't patronize me, Xavier. Now, get your ass home."

"Mum, I have importa—"

"Cancel it."

The call ended.

My headache got worse. Now, I had to deal with Skylar's whining, a forced family dinner, and two days off work. Fantastic.

Grabbing my phone and coat, I walked out of the office.

"Sir, where are you going?" my P.A. asked.

"I won't be in for the next two days. Send all necessary files to my email."

"Why, sir?"

I ignored her. I do not pay her to ask me questions

#_#

Parking in the garage, I loosened my tie and unbuttoned the top three buttons of my shirt. As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by the sound of two women yelling.

"—dancing around on duty and trying to serve pork to the boss, what was he thinking when he hired someone like you?"

"-First of all, I'm not on duty. Second, read the label, genius. It says beef-"

Emily finally noticed me and rushed over, dramatically complaining about a  "particular, woman" standing in my kitchen.

I followed her gaze.

Mira.

In shorts.

Long legs on full display, toned, smooth, and far too distracting. I should not be looking. But I was.

The shirt she wore barely mattered—my brain was stuck on those legs. And the way her hair looked just slightly messy, like her hand had run through several time. Tugged on it.

My jaw tightened.

Stop it.

"—because I fell sick, you think you can replace me?! She's insulting me, and she even tried to feed you—"

"—If you could actually read, you'd know it says 'beef bacon' on the can."

"I—" Emily started, but I cut her off.

"Emily." I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying not to lose my temper. "She's not a maid."

Just say it, Xavier.

"She's my wife."

Mira's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before she looked away. I felt something twist in my chest, but I ignored it.

Emily, on the other hand, looked like she was about to pass out. I shouldn't have found it funny, but the sheer horror on her face was priceless.

"W-wife? When did you get married?!"

"That's none of your business. And if I hear a single word about this from anyone, you won't like what happens next. Clear?"

"Y-yes, sir."

Without another word, I went upstairs, determined to avoid Mira for the rest of the night. I needed a solid 12 hours of sleep.

After a quick shower, I collapsed onto my bed, making a mental note to take Tylenol if my headache was still there in the morning.

~Laa Gòn

Pronounced: laa- kawn

That Thai for 'i love you but I have to go'😁😁

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